In Loving Memory: Susie Coobs 1947-2007

SUSAN ANN COOBS, age 59, of West Plains, MO, died Saturday, June 30, at a hospital in Knoxville, TN. of injuries sustained in a roadside accident while visiting her parents in Norris, TN.

Susie was born July 19, 1947 in Oak Ridge, TN to John and Bettie Coobs. Susie spent some of her school years in England, and graduated from Norris High School. She attended Shimer College and San Francisco State University, studying Photography and Graphic Design. A one-time film editor for MGM studios in Los Angeles, Susie moved to the Missouri in 1982. She worked as a book designer for Elder Mountain Press, publishers of Bob Neatheryís memoir "West Plains As I Knew It" and many other titles.

For the last seven years, Susie served the Bryant Watershed Education Project as web designer. Under her vision and with her prodigious talent, the Atlas has become a nationally recognized resource, garnering educational awards, a million hits a month, and high placement in search engine results.

More important to Susie was the delight of local students and educators who saw their work published on the Atlas.

Susie loved figuring out how to make things work on the Atlas. She was dedicated to the Projectís focus on giving children opportunities to be creative and to learn by doing, right here in the Ozarks. She enjoyed days spent photographing kids in creeks on Stream Days.

Susie also supported many local organizations and small businesses with websites, graphic design, and email list management. She will be remembered for her quick wit, love of beauty, and impatience with anything less than perfection. Susie was a Missouri Master Naturalist who loved her gardens and the Ozarks landscape.

She was preceded in death by her younger brother, David, and partner, Lisa Truehart. She is survived by her parents; her brother Jack and wife Caydea; her niece, Reeve and her nephew, Erich.

She will be sorely missed by many loving friends here in the heart of the Ozarks.